Ipswich 2-1 QPR: Mick McCarthy full of praise for Luke Chambers
Saturday 26 December 2015 20:29, UK
Luke Chambers grabbed an injury-time winner over QPR to earn the plaudits of his manager Mick McCarthy and give Ipswich their first home win in 10 matches.
The captain powered in at the far post to head home Freddie Sears cross in the 92nd minute and earn three precious points as Ipswich push for a second consecutive top-six finish.
It was harsh on QPR, who ended a forgettable first half on top thanks to a goal from Junior Hoilett - who headed in a brilliant Leroy Fer cross on the stroke of half-time.
But Ipswich grew stronger as the game wore on with Brett Pitman's beautifully-executed volley striking the outside of the far post before the home fans finally had a goal to celebrate after more than 290 minutes of waiting.
Sub Ryan Fraser combined with Sears, whose low cross was turned towards goal by Daryl Murphy and Jonathan Douglas finished it off with a neat overhead finish past the stranded Rob Green, before Chambers delighted the home fans with his late winner.
McCarthy said: "It was a real captain's performance by Chambo. He came in at the end and said sorry for not having his best game.
"But no one is ever going to remember that - they are just going to remember who scored the winner.
"He has bought into playing right-back. Sometimes when people are asked to play in different positions, they do all right for a couple of games before becoming a square peg in a round hole and being left out.
"But I love the fact that he keeps going and gets into their box in the 92nd minute. He's stuck at it and done brilliantly.
"It was a really important win and it's nice to get the monkey off our backs at home."
QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink cut a hugely frustrated figure post-match as he followed up three consecutive draws since taking the job with a defeat.
It could have been different after Fer rounded Dean Gerken with the score at 1-0 but the playmaker delayed his shot and the Town keeper partially thwarted him, before Cole Skuse calmly cleared the ball off the line.
Hasselbaink said: "I thought we were very well organised in the first half and we could not have scored at a better moment.
"We had a chance to make it 2-0 but at 1-0 you have to be resolute and defend properly until the end.
"I think our confidence and calmness went a little out the door and we need to improve on that.
"That is now two games where we have been winning 1-0 and I couldn't see us getting a draw or losing. We have to be more disciplined and sharp."
